A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has raised concerns over the rising wave of defections, resignations, and party switching among political leaders, describing it as a sign of deeper weaknesses in Nigeria’s political system.
Speaking in Benin, Edo State, on Sunday, Odigie-Oyegun said the frequent movement of politicians between parties after disagreements calls into question the commitment of the political class to national development and citizens’ welfare.
Odigie-Oyegun said the increasing rate at which politicians abandon their parties suggests that fundamental issues remain unresolved within the country’s democratic framework.
He argued that many political actors do not appear genuinely focused on addressing Nigeria’s challenges, including economic hardship and insecurity.
According to him, if leaders were truly committed to rescuing the country and improving citizens’ lives, the current wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections would not be taking place.
The ADC stalwart said Nigeria’s political class often seems disconnected from the realities of ordinary citizens, noting that their actions rarely reflect a sincere commitment to national progress.
“If political leaders were genuinely driven by the desire to rescue the nation, many of the developments we are witnessing as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace would not have emerged,” he said.
He added that political attention should be focused more on solving pressing national problems rather than engaging in manoeuvres that do not directly benefit the people.
Odigie-Oyegun also urged opposition leaders across the country to reflect on their motivations and assess whether their actions are truly aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
He stressed the need for the opposition to remain focused on offering solutions to national challenges instead of pursuing personal political ambitions.
Despite his concerns, the former governor expressed optimism about the opposition’s prospects, saying that a fair electoral environment and strong institutions could create the conditions for political change.
He added that the opposition still has the capacity to challenge the ruling party effectively if the electoral process and state institutions operate transparently and without bias.
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